Regenerator.



H. H. DOW.

REGENEBATOR. APPLIGATYION FILED JUNE 23, 1906.

977,605, Patented Dec.'6, 1910.

m Ina/ WITNESSES [NVEN TOR.

g A Time/v5 Y.

unrrnn STATS r anon.

HERBERT H DOW, OF MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, A S SIG-NOR TO THE WESTINGHOUSE MA- CHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

nnennnna'ron.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented nee. a, rare.

Application filed- June 23, 1906. Serial No. 323,107.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT H. Dow, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Midland, in the county of Midland and State of Michigan, have made a new and useful Invention in Regenerators, of which the following is a specification.

An object of this invention is the production of a regenerator in which simple means are utilized for subjecting the steam or other expansive fluid to the action of a large condensing surface. I

A further object is the production of a regenerator in which simple means are utilized for briuging the steam into intimate contact with the water or liquid utilized as a heat-storing and pressure-maintaining agent.

The regenerator embodied in my inven tion is adapted to periodically receive varying amounts of steam under different degrees of pressure and to supply steam at a lower but practically constant press ure.

The steam entering and passing through the regenerator is caused to traverse a bed of coke or other porous material, over and through which a continuous flow of water is maintained. The steam in passing through the interstices of the coke bed comes into intimate contact with the water, percolating therethrough and a rapid interchangc'of heat between the coke bed and the steam, and the water and the steam is accomplished, due primarily to the great porosity of the coke and to the large exposed surface of the water.

During the steam admission period the pressure in the regenerator tends to rise, but as the pressure rises the condensation of the steam increases; during the intervals between admission periods the pressure in the regenerator tends to drop but the heat stored up in the coke bed and in the water as latent heat converts the water into steam in varying amounts proportional to the drop. in pressure and, consequently, the pressure in the regenerator is maintained practically constant at all times.

In the single sheet drawing accompanying this application and forming a part thereof, the figure is a vertical section of a regenerator embodying my invention.

A metal shell, which comprises a cylindrical portion 4 and head portions 5 and 6, riveted or otherwise secured thereto, is provided with a heat-insulating cover 7.. A steam admission port 8 is provided in the cylindrical portion 4: and a. steam-discharge port 9 is provided in the head portion 5'. An angle iron 11 is riveted or otherwise secured on the inner surface of the portion 4 and is arranged to supporta frame 12 upon which a bed of coke or other porous material 13 is located. A water-supply port extends through the cylindrical portion 4 below the frame 11 and is provided with a valve 14, which is controlled by a Heat 15 and which admits water to the lower portion of thechamber formed by the shell portion. The float 15 also operates a discharge valve 16, which is arranged to open an overflow .port and discharge the excess water from thechamber when the float is raised abevea predetermined position. Under such conditions the amount of water in the shell portion is maintained practically constant and at a predetermined level below the steam inlet port 8.

A space 17 is maintained above the coke bed 13 and a man-hole 18, which is formed in the cylindrical portion 4, and which is provided with a suitable cover, communicates therewith. A spraying device or nozzle 19 is located in the space 17 and is arranged to discharge a spray or divided flow of water onto the coke bed 13. The nozzle 19 communicates with a pump '20 through a suitable pipe 21. The pump 20, which is here shown as a centrifugal pump, may be of any type and communicates with the body of water maintained in the lower portion of the regenerator chamber. A discharge or draw-0E port 22 for the water is provided in the head portion 6.

The steam in entering the regenerator chamber through the port 8 comes in contact with the surface of the water supplied by the float-controlled valve 14 and is partially condensed by the cooling action of the water. As the steam flows through the coke bed,

. it is brought into intimate contact with the water discharged from the nozzle or spraying device 19 and is further cooled, giving up its heat to the coke bed and to the water. The space 17 above the coke bed acts as a steam supply reservoir.

The surface presented by the coke bed, for the liberation or condensation of steam, is enormous-as compared with the-exposed surface in'relgenerators with which I am familiar. The pump 20 is not absolutely essential after t e regenerator is in operation, for during the time the pressure 15 rising in the regenerator chamber, the relatively cold coke condenses a large amount of steam on its surface, which, because of the porosity of the coke, percolates through the mass very slowly and consequently the coke again evaporates it when the pressure is sufficiently reduced. By admitting the exhaust steam to the top of the regenerator chamber the water carried by the steam is delivered to the top of the coke filling and in connection with the water resulting from the condensation, taking place in the chamher, will be suificient to supply the demand for steam. The pump, however, increases the capacity of the regenerator. by rendering a greater amount of Water effective as a heat-storin agent.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, to ether with the apparatus which I now eonsi er to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim is: t 1. A regenerator comprising a shell portion, a porous filling maintained in said shell portion, a steam space located at each end of said filling, a steam admission port communicating with one steam space, and a steam discharge port communicating with the other steam space.

- filling.

3. A regenerator comprising a) steam space, a porous filling, and means for maintaining a flow of water over said porous filling.

4. A regenerator comprising a steam space, a porous filling for holding segregated portions of water, and means for supplying water to said filling.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12 day of June, 1906.

y HERBERT H. DOW.

B. ALL, 'G. L. CAMP. 

